The wording of the text. A lot can be read between the lines--it's a much different kind of announcement than the playful, delighed "I'm waiting for my call from Middle-earth" of some months ago.

1)His choice of opening statement. Can't help but think there's more to that than his most famous LOTR line. Thinking of Frod and Ring perhaps?

2)His mention of the script. Part One written by "Del Tor and the LOTR Team" and his reaction to it specifically, whereas he merely says "a second screenplay was sent to me." by Jackson. Second screenplay of what? The screenplay for Part 2? A Jackson re-write of Part 1, + A Jackson-written part 2? A total Jackson re-write of the whole thing? He doesn't give his reaction to the final draft/script. Recall that WB swiftly approved Part 1, while Part 2 took MUCH longer, during which G left.

3)He talks about "the pitfalls (or wehatever term he uses) of sequels." I can't believehe ever had a notion of this. How can he compare this to HP? Well...*I* certainly think Richard Harris will always BE Dumbledore! Did he ever think anyone else could be Gandalf!?!?

As for the rest--great news about Holm and OMG MY PRAYER--LEE!!!! Now I am biting my nails every DAY until I read, "Mr Lee has finished filming his scenes." At 90 anything can happen--a few weeks isn't that long a time, a few months. I HOPE TO GOD he has his stuff completed before April. PLease God...and let him live to see his completed work on the screen. You hear, Peter? No cutting this time around!

This means the announcement of the Hobbit cast proper should be coming along VERY soon--please within the next 2 weeks! Most of the cast we still don't know! And if The Great Golblin or Necromancer in humanoid form is in there--well, is it still to ludicrous to hope a certain actor can play su`h a creature?:)